FHSD Community Service

The FHSD curriculum is intended to teach students many different subjects, and standardized testing is designed to quantify what students have learned. One of the most important lessons that students learn doesn’t have a score that will show up on any test – caring for others in the community.

“The Francis Howell School District community supports our schools, and the students and staff in our buildings support our community in many different ways,” said Chief Communications and Community Relations Officer Matt Deichmann. “Community service takes many forms - be it donated dollars, hours of service, canned food, toiletries, or toys distributed – whatever the item might be, our students and staff are collecting it and donating it.”

This charity work happens at every level, from early childhood to high school, and at every school in the District. Community service projects help students of all ages empathize with others, and help them see the bigger picture of the world outside of their own door. We sometimes take things like food, clothing, and shelter for granted until we see those who have to do without – often because of circumstances beyond their control.

Students learn to appreciate the catastrophic impact of natural disasters, as well. 2017 was a very active Atlantic storm season, and major hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma combined for over $250 billion worth of property damage, and affected millions of lives. Students collected canned food items, personal care items, and thousands of dollars to help hurricane victims.

In August, Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc in Houston, Texas, and many schools remained closed for weeks. Students at Bryan Middle School heard about the plight of Field Elementary in Houston and immediately went to work.“When our students see a problem, they take action and help,” said Guidance Counselor Pat Larkin. “Bryan Middle School had hope for Houston’s recovery and a big heart for Field Elementary.” Bryan students collected hundreds of composition books, binders, folders, and notebooks, as well as almost $4,000. With the help of those students, Larkin loaded up a trailer on a Friday afternoon and personally drove 800 miles to deliver the items to Field Elementary.

When all of the community service projects that FHSD students and staff completed during the 2017-18 school year are added up, the totals are staggering – 91 different organizations served, 13,796 community service hours, 64,203 items collected, and $312,063 raised and donated.

Winston Churchill famously said, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Through these community service efforts the students and staff of FHSD are helping make other lives better, and in the process enriching their own lives as well.